Anmatjre Alwarra Utopia Bush Medicine Leaves

This mesmerising painting, “Bush Medicine Leaves,” by Selina Numina of the Anmatjere and Alwarra peoples from the Utopia region, embodies the sacred connection between women, land, and healing. Flowing brushstrokes create intricate layers of movement, representing the delicate leaves collected by women to make traditional bush medicines.

The luminous gold, white, and black tones symbolise both the physical and spiritual power of these plants — sources of protection, strength, and renewal. The swirling patterns evoke wind moving through Country, a reminder of the living energy that sustains both land and culture.

Through this work, Selina honours the matriarchal knowledge passed down through generations, transforming ancestral wisdom into a vibrant, contemporary expression of healing and identity.